Tracking order

Yes, several movies and TV shows have been created to depict the life and achievements of Marie Curie. Here’s a detailed list of notable adaptations, including their release years, main themes, and portrayals of the scientist:

1. Films Focused on Marie Curie

a. Madame Curie (1943)

• Director: Mervyn LeRoy
• Starring: Greer Garson (Marie Curie), Walter Pidgeon (Pierre Curie)
• Key Details:
  This classic Hollywood film dramatizes Marie and Pierre Curie’s collaboration, their discovery of radium, and the challenges they faced as scientists (including gender bias and financial struggles). It highlights their Nobel Prize win and Marie’s perseverance after Pierre’s death, touching on her later work during World War I with mobile X - ray units (“Little Curies”). The film emphasizes her humanity and dedication, though some historical details are simplified for dramatic effect.
• Historical Note: Nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Greer Garson.

b. Marie Curie (1977, TV Movie)

• Starring: Diane Cilento (Marie Curie), Michael Kitchen (Pierre Curie)
• Key Details:
  A British television film that offers a more intimate portrayal of Marie’s life, from her early years in Poland to her career in Paris. It explores her relationship with Pierre, the scientific breakthroughs, and the personal sacrifices she made. The film also addresses the controversy around her affair with physicist Paul Langevin, a topic often omitted in earlier adaptations.
• Style: Focuses on emotional depth and the personal toll of her achievements.

c. Radioactive (2019)

• Director: Marjane Satrapi
• Starring: Rosamund Pike (Marie Curie), Sam Riley (Pierre Curie), Anya Taylor - Joy (Young Marie)
• Key Details:
  Based on the graphic novel by Lauren Redniss, this film blends historical drama with stylized visuals and narrative leaps. It chronicles Marie’s life from her childhood in Russian - occupied Poland to her Nobel Prizes, her role in WWI medical efforts, and the tragic impact of radiation exposure on her health. The movie highlights her defiance of gender norms and the ethical dilemmas of scientific discovery (e.g., the dual use of radium for medicine and weapons).
• Unique Approach: Uses nonlinear storytelling and symbolic imagery to explore her legacy and the human cost of her work.

2. Television Series and Documentaries

a. Nova: The Radium Girls (1993)

• Format: Documentary - drama
• Focus: While not solely about Marie Curie, this PBS special examines the early 20th - century “radium girls” — factory workers who fell ill from painting watch dials with radium, unaware of its toxicity. The film connects their plight to Marie’s discovery of radium and the slow realization of radiation’s dangers, providing context for her scientific and ethical impact.

b. Biography: Marie Curie (2009, TV Series)

• Format: Documentary episode in Biography (History Channel)
• Content: A factual overview of her life, combining historical footage, interviews, and reenactments. It covers her education, partnership with Pierre, Nobel Prizes, and the Curie Institute’s founding, emphasizing her role as a pioneer in radioactivity and women’s science.

c. Masters of Science (2016, TV Series)

• Episode: “Marie Curie: The Woman Who Lit Up the World”
• Focus: Part of a National Geographic series, this episode explores her scientific contributions, the challenges of being a female scientist in the late 19th/early 20th century, and her influence on modern medicine through radiation therapy.

3. International and Lesser - Known Adaptations

a. Maria Skłodowska - Curie (1981, Polish TV Series)

• Language: Polish
• Starring: Danuta Szaflarska (Marie Curie)
• Note: A more historically rooted adaptation produced in Poland, focusing on her Polish identity and early life, which is sometimes overlooked in Western films. It highlights her commitment to Polish education and her connection to her homeland.

b. The Curies (2016, French Mini - Series)

• Language: French
• Format: Two - part miniseries
• Focus: Depicts the personal and professional partnership between Marie and Pierre, emphasizing their collaborative research and the social context of their work in Paris. It includes details about their family life and the impact of their discoveries on science.

4. Thematic Portrayals in Broader Works

a. Hysteria (2011)

• Note: While primarily about the invention of the vibrator as a medical device, this film includes a brief scene where Marie Curie (portrayed by Juliet Stevenson) interacts with other scientists, highlighting her presence in the male - dominated scientific community of the early 1900s.

Key Themes in Adaptations

• Gender and Science: Many works emphasize Marie’s fight against sexism, such as her exclusion from academic circles and the skepticism she faced as a female researcher.
• Collaboration and Love: The partnership with Pierre Curie is often central, showcasing their mutual respect and scientific synergy.
• Ethics and Legacy: Films like Radioactive explore the double - edged sword of her discoveries, from cancer treatment to nuclear weapons.
• Personal Sacrifice: Adaptations frequently touch on her health struggles (caused by radiation exposure) and the loss of Pierre, framing her resilience as a driving force.

Which to Watch First?

• For a classic, accessible drama: Madame Curie (1943).
• For a modern, visually striking take: Radioactive (2019).
• For historical accuracy and Polish perspective: Maria Skłodowska - Curie (1981).
• For a factual overview: Biography: Marie Curie (2009) or Masters of Science (2016).